As Lebanese architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman places the finishing touches on Dream of the Desert – a luxury train experience set to debut in 2026 – recently unveiled images give us a first look at the stunning design.
Conceived by Italy’s Arsenale Group in collaboration with the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), the Ministry of Culture, and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), Dream of the Desert will be the first luxury train in the Middle East, blending Saudi craft heritage and storytelling with Italian design.
Set to take its inaugural journey at the end of 2026, the train will depart from Riyadh and traverse 1,300 kilometers of existing railway lines, stopping at towns like Al Qassim, Ha’il, and Al Jouf, before reaching its final destination of Al Qurayyat in the north, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s most captivating landscapes and destinations. The one-to two-night itineraries have been meticulously curated to highlight the Kingdom’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and enduring sense of place.
Celebrating old-world opulence and the nostalgia of slow travel, the train will feature 31 private suites and two presidential suites, accommodating up to 66 guests, alongside two restaurant cars and a Majlis lounge, spread across 14 redesigned vintage Italian carriages.
“Dream of the Desert is not only about slow travel. It’s a great achievement in terms of sustainable exercise and ultra-luxury upcycling,” Asmar d’Amman says. “The wagon structures are existing Italian wagons owned by Arsenale, completely refurbished in Brindisi, and uplifted with design excellence. This is where it feels familiar: my work is rooted in the transmission of past to future, elevated by cultural connection stories."
“The creative journey starts with context and stories taking us to unexpected yet fertile horizons. It’s a wonderful thing to immerse in a world of dynamic stillness and spiritual mystique that is the desert,” she adds. “Saudi Arabia’s pristine natural beauty and the very distinctive feeling of immensity and silence, of wildness and wideness, only tamed by the Bedouin tradition of journeys with patience, appeals to another kind of travel today. Slow travel, which at its core means embracing all the layers of a culture, fully living the moment immersed in context.”
The new photos from a mock-up car offer a sneak peek at what to expect from the rest of the train. The design is a blend of finely carved wood finishes, earthy desert-inspired hues, and golden accents that reflect the warmth and richness of Saudi heritage. Contrasting textures, contemporary takes on textile weavings and stitched leather, and motifs inspired by local architecture can be seen in the details.
The earthy tones and sandy browns are balanced with pops of lavender, oasis green, and burnt oranges, infusing each space with a sense of culture and serenity, all softly lit by the cinematic glow of Murano-blown glass, evoking the warmth of oriental lanterns.
“My architectural work is rooted in the transmission of past to future, elevated by cultural connection stories,” Asmar d’Amman says. “For me, craftsmanship is the ultimate bridge between past and present, a form of luxury passed down through generations, from one skilled hand to another."
“I spend hours studying the details of a Saudi architecture – the intricate textile weavings, delicate wood carvings, and oil lamps that cast a cinematic glow – translating these elements through a refined contemporary lens, thoughtfully adapted to the unique spatial and technical constraints of a train.”
The suites are decorative havens, with rich wood marquetry and mirrored cabinets allowing light to shimmer through the space. The rooms are complete with en-suite showers, covered in colourful geometric tiles.
In the Majlis Lounge, where guests will gather, duo seats will be nestled behind delicate mashrabiya screens, echoing Jeddah's iconic facades, while the bar design is inspired by the ancient architecture of Hegra, Madain Salih, and the Hijaz mountains. Nods to local flora and fauna can also be spotted in the design, paying homage to Saudi stories and symbols.
The train’s two restaurant cars will offer a choice between authentic traditional Saudi cuisine and an international menu with fusion Italian influences – both curated by world-renowned chefs to deliver a Michelin-level fine-dining experience on board.
